I don’t think it’s so much the tone of voice, but think about it this way: how many people “go through the motions” of saying “I believe in God” etc. just for the social benefits that religion provides? And so are just as happy to help bring others in?
The difference is that when you really believe somehting, your internal predictive model of reality contains it, which would mean you sometimes predict different results and act accordingly.
Externally, I don’t know, but it sure feels different. Also, there’s a partial-believing state that I was in for years as a child and teenager, where I didn’t really believe (and hence didn’t pray except to show belief in public), but I still kinda believed (and hence was afraid that God would punish me for sinning). At the same time.
I don’t think it’s so much the tone of voice, but think about it this way: how many people “go through the motions” of saying “I believe in God” etc. just for the social benefits that religion provides? And so are just as happy to help bring others in?
How do you distinguish between going through the motions and believing?
The difference is that when you really believe somehting, your internal predictive model of reality contains it, which would mean you sometimes predict different results and act accordingly.
Externally, I don’t know, but it sure feels different. Also, there’s a partial-believing state that I was in for years as a child and teenager, where I didn’t really believe (and hence didn’t pray except to show belief in public), but I still kinda believed (and hence was afraid that God would punish me for sinning). At the same time.